SHARK CAUGHT! Predator Pulled From Waters at Popular Jersey Shore Beach

SHARK CAUGHT! Predator Pulled From Waters at Popular Jersey Shore Beach

Shark Caught at Island Beach State Park Before Being Released Back Into Ocean

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK — A shark was caught just outside a guarded swimming area at Island Beach State Park around noon Saturday before being released back into the ocean, according to a witness.

The catch quickly drew the attention of roughly 30 beachgoers, who gathered along the shoreline to take photos and record video as the fisherman held onto the shark.

At one point, the fisherman lifted the shark’s tail and opened its mouth several times, giving onlookers a close look at its teeth. After the second time, one woman in the crowd called out, “Alright, time to let him go!” A man nearby added, “He don’t like that, bro!”

The shark continued wriggling in the wet sand as the crowd watched.

According to the witness, the fisherman had been using a drone to carry and drop bait roughly 150 yards offshore. The shark was released back into the water shortly afterward.

The encounter comes as shark sightings and catches continue to draw attention along the Jersey Shore during the busy summer beach season.

How Many Great White Sharks are in New Jersey?

A huge number of great white sharks are lurking off the coasts of New York, New Jersey, and Cape Cod, trackers of the creatures have said. A map on Ocearch's website allows members of the public to track the sharks for themselves, with each fish having its own name and fact file.